UK FTTP ISP Gigaclear Starts Rollout of 1Gbps Broadband in Essex
Fibre optic ISP Gigaclear has begun construction of their £7.5 million project to deliver a new 1000Mbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network in Essex (England), which should benefit 4,500 premises in the Epping Forest area by the end of 2017.
The work, which is funded by £5.5m from Gigaclear and £2m via public investment (state aid from BDUK and the Local Authorities etc.), forms part of the wider Superfast Essex project that has otherwise been dominated by contracts for slower speed services from BTOpenreach (e.g. up to 80Mbps FTTC).
The first phase of deployment is due to run from now until May 2016 and the first subscribers could then go live within the next couple of months. Customers typically pay from £38.80 per month for Gigaclear’s entry-level symmetric 50Mbps package (no phone line rental required).
Matthew Hare, CEO of Gigaclear, said:
“By installing a new Fibre-to-the-Premises network we are giving residents and businesses in the Epping Forest District internet speeds that will transform their online experience, meaning working from home, running a business, studying, being entertained and play will now be possible for all.
Living in a rural area doesn’t mean you have to tolerate bad broadband, and we’re here working with the Superfast Essex team and Epping Forest District Council to futureproof communications within the Epping Forest District. Gigaclear’s pure fibre service will deliver internet speeds of up to 1,000Mbps, 40 times faster than the UK average, for everyone connected.”
The deal was originally announced in June 2015 (here) and at that point it was revealed that the following areas would benefit: Fyfield, Stapleford Tawney, Bobbingworth, Ongar, Moreton, Magdalen Laver, High Laver, Little Laver, and Theydon Mount).
Elsewhere some parts of these communities will also be connected: High Ongar, Willingale, Abbess Beauchamp and Berners Roding, Stapleford Abbotts, Stanford Rivers, Matching, North Weald Bassett, Lambourne, Theydon Garnon, Sheering, Epping Upland, Theydon Bois and Chigwell.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on Twitter, Google+, Facebook and Linkedin.
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Based on experience of Gigaclear the service will be great, but the project delivery and forecasted timescales will be so far out you might get it by 2020.
Why, do they have a reputation for being late? I always had the impression they were pretty quick. Am I wrong?
Indeed you are. So far our rollout is now 6 months behind and we are only 1500 premises. We were due to be live in July. Every month since it has been delayed another month. Fed up waiting and the constant excuses.